Regional Transportation Funding Initiative
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) in coordination with the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) have been pursuing concepts for regional transportation funding for transit and infrastructure projects in the Tahoe basin. At the TRPA Environmental Improvement, Transportation, & Public Outreach Committee meeting on 2/24/21, the committee members discussed equity in the cost burden and queries about broad definitions such as “locals”, “commuter”, and “low-income”.
TTD previously brought forward a “ONE Tahoe” proposal which proposed federal and state funding, increase in taxes, and “basin entry fees” to be paid by users. Entry fees were calculated per vehicle with passenger cars starting at $4.10, which could be collected via a FastPass system or toll booth. Varying fees were calculated based on size of vehicle (commercial) and type of user (resident vs. visitor). The proposal was met with mixed response from varying jurisdictions and stakeholders in the Tahoe basin.
The updated regional approach to implement public transit and collect funding includes outreach to other jurisdictions that lie outside of the Tahoe watershed include Carson City, Reno, Truckee, western slope of El Dorado County municipalities, and Sacramento. According to the TTD, more than $1.2B will be required to create and operate the planned infrastructure.
Staff is currently refining their new proposal, and The Regional Transportation Plan will go before the TRPA Governing Board for approval in the next few months.
For more information on ONE Tahoe proposed funding fees, click here.
Natalie Yanish, CATT South Lake Tahoe Government Affairs Manager, is the representative for the construction and building industry. If you have feedback or questions: Natalie Yanish, (c) 775.843.7142 or natalie@ca-tt.com.
SLT LGAC Priorities - Approved by CATT Members
El Dorado County VHR restrictions - TRPA reduction in release of new building allocations per new best practice guidelines
- Possible Moratorium on VHR permitting, cap, and locational or density requirements within neighborhoods
City of South Lake Tahoe
- Climate Action Plan (CAP) - Content of proposed strategies and impacts on construction
- ONE Tahoe Impacts if the City supports the user basin vehicle fee
- Residential Design & Development Standards draft ordinance changes
Permitting - local jurisdictions
- City of South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County - Turn around time frames
- Tahoe Regional Planning Agency residential allocation release timeframes and deadline for plan submission
- Transparent reporting of building permit data by El Dorado County, City of SLT, and Douglas County
TRPA “Tahoe Living” Working Group
- Recommendations to the Housing Committee & Governing BOD to change code and ordinances, requiring density, streamlining project requirements, deed restrictions, fees/ taxes to fund affordable housing, incentivizing ADU’s
For additional questions, please contact Natalie Yanish, CATT South Lake Tahoe Government Affairs Manager, 775.843.7142 or natalie@ca-tt.com.